Wire mesh sign protector



Jan. 7, `1958 E. l. WILSON 2,818,666

WIRE MESH SIGN PROTECTOR Filed Nov. 5, 1955 Fi-E1. i. Ti-E Z.

/ "-2 5 ATrDRNEYs Patented Jan. 7, 1958 WIRE 4MESH. SIGN. PROTECTOR Eugene I. Wilson, Buffalo, S. Dak.

Application November 3, 1955, Serial No. 544,758

3 Claims. (Cl. 40-125) This invention relates to signs particularly of the type having neon tubes spaced from 4surfaces thereof, and in particular a frame covered with wire mesh and provided with mounting elements whereby the frame is adapted to be attached to a sign with the mounting elements extended over corners of the sign and with the wire mesh covered frame enclosing neon tubes and the like on the face of the sign.

The purpose of this invention is to protect signs and particularly neon tubes illuminated signs from hail, rocks, falling branches of trees, and the like.

Signs using neon tubes are necessarily positioned with the tubes exposed to the elements and even where such signs are positioned on buildings Where they are substantially protected the tubes are broken and damaged by falling -objects and the like. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates providing a substantially invisible wire cage adapted to be placed over a sign whereby neon tubes and the like positioned on the sign are protected from falling or projected objects, missiles, and the like.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for forming a wire mesh cage whereby the cage is adapted to be attached to signs, particularly of the type using neon tubes for illumination.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wire mesh cage for protecting neon tubes and the like of signs in which the cage is adapted to be mounted on signs now in use without changing the structural elements of the signs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Wire mesh protector for signs in which the protector is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a substantially rectangular shaped wire frame covered with wire mesh and having mounting clips extended from parts thereof for installing the device on a sign with the wire mesh portion covering illuminating tubes on the face of the sign.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the improved sign protector, part of the wire mesh being broken away showing the construction at the corners of the device.

Figure 2 is an end elevational View of the sign protector also with the wire mesh broken away showing the mounting elements thereof.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the frame of the sign protector, the wire mesh being omitted.

Figure 4 is a cross section through the yprotector taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 1 with the parts shown on an enlarged scale and with parts broken away. i

Figure 5 isa sectional view through a part of the frame showing a modification wherein a frame is provided with strap iron for mounting the protector on circular or oval shaped signs and particularly where the neon tubes are close to the edges of the sign.

Figure 6 is a view illustrating a spring wire suspension member with which the cage may be attached to a sign with one of the'spring elements at each corner.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved sign protector of this invention includes an inner wire frame having side, members 10 and 11 and endfmembers 12 and 13, an outer frame having wires 14 and 15 at the sides and 16 and 17 at the ends, with connecting wires 18 at the corners and 19 at points intermediate of the length of the device, clip angles 20, 21, 22, and 23 which extend from the corners and which are positioned to be secured to corners of a panel of a sign with the frame extended over neon tubes and the like yof the sign, and the protector is covered with wire mesh 24 which is extended over the face, sides, and ends of the frame.

Although it is preferred to use 3/8 of an inch steel rods for the `side and end members of the frame it will be understood that the frame members may be of other suitable material and of any other suitable size. The frame members, and also the cross members are connected, such as by welding, and the clip angles are secured Vto the inner frame members, also by welding or the like.

The clip angles are provided with openings 25 through which the clip angles and the frame may be secured to edges of a sign by suitable fasteners, such as nails, screws, or the like.

The wire mesh is also secured to the frame members by suitable means, such as by welding, and particularly spot welding, and it will be understood that the wire mesh may be of any suitable size or weight.

In the design illustrated in Figure 5 straps 26 extend from the frame members, such as a member 27 of the inner frame and the ends of the straps are adapted to 'be bent downwardly to provide flanges 28 by which the frame is adapted to be secured to a sign, such as the sign 29. The frame member 27 represents the inner frame of the cage, illustrated in Figure 3 and the inner members are connected to outer members 30 with cross members 31 similar to the members 18 and 19 of the design shown in Figure 3.

In the design illustrated in Figure 6 springs 32 with hooks 33 and 34 on the ends are provided for attaching the frame to the sign and it will be understood that the hooks will be placed over the inner frame members and also over edges of the sign whereby the wire mesh frames are resiliently secured to the sign boards or panels.

It will 'be understood, therefore, that the protective cage may be attached to a sign by any suitable means.

It will be understood that other modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a sign protector, the combination which comprises an inner frame of rectangular formation having mounting elements thereon at the four corners thereof, an outer frame of rectangular formation, means for attaching the outer frame to the inner frame at the four corners of the' frames and intermediate of the sides of said frames, and a wire mesh covering extended over the outer surface and side and end portions of the frames.

2. In a sign protector, the combination which comprises an inner frame of rectangular formation, an outer frame `of rectangular formation, transversely disposed bars connecting the frames, mounting elements extended from one of said frames at the four corners thereof, and wire mesh covering the frame opposite to the frame on which the mounting elements are positioned and also areas between the frames.

3. In a sign protector, the combination which comprises an inner frame of rectangular formation, an outer frame 3 of rectangular formation, transversely disposed bars connecting the frames, mounting elements having resilient sections therein extended from one of said frames at the four `corners thereof, and Wire mesh covering the frame opposite to the frame on which the mounting elements 5 are positioned and also areas between the frames.

391,950 Dubey 061. 30, 1888 1 4 Cooley Apr. 16, 1889 Knowles Mar. 2, 1897 Quagliano Feb. 8, 1916 Furiate Apr. 21, 1925 Street May 19, 1925 Rucker May 22, 1928 McLeod Nov. 8, 1932 Shaier Apr. 23, 1935 Bissell June 16, 1942 

